Need advice on resawing large live edge plank

[Embarrassed Newbie]

I'm looking for some advice on resawing a piece of walnut that is 5ft by 10 1/2 inches by 2 5/8 inches.  One edge is a flat 90 degrees and the other is a live edge.  I don't have a bandsaw, but could use one at a community center if this is the best way to cut the piece to two long planks about 1 1/4 inches thick.  The goal is to resaw it so that I can make a river table with a resin live edge center.  Resawing a piece that 10 1/2 inches thick seems like a challenge.  I have not used a bandsaw before, so don't know the limits of this equipment.  Any advise on how to do this?  Suggests for keeping the blade straight through the cut?  Many thanks for the help!

[Tpt life]

If you’ve never used a band saw, I’d buy coffee for an experienced hand at the community center. I’d not suggest first cuts on project material. 

[Mick S]

+1 on the above advice. Not something I'd recommend for someone who's never used a bandsaw. There may very well be internal stresses in a piece that thick that could cause it to either bind on the blade or spread apart, pushing the piece away from the fence. I'd get the help of an experienced user.

[RichardA]

I agree with all the above.  One other option is to take it to a lumber yard, or a sawyer, and ask them to split it. It might cost you a few bucks, but it's better than you screwing it up or hurting yourself.

[Mark J]

Farming this job out to a woodworking shop seems like a good idea. 

Is the community bandsaw big enough?  You'll want the resaw capacity to be 12".

If you do go with using the community bandsaw consider buying and donating a new blade (appropriate for that model saw and your resawing task).

Also if you don't know it to be well maintained, then you might want to watch a couple of videos (e.g. Sndgrass) and give the saw a look over yourself.

[Tom King]

It's a simple job for someone with experience, and the right setup.  Without either of those, chances aren't too good.  I suggest to pay someone to do it for you.  Knowing location would help a lot.

[Embarrassed Newbie]

Well, I guess there is a consensus here!  I'll have to look around for a place that can assist.  Please let me know if anybody happens to know a place in Northern Virginia!  Thanks.

[wtnhighlander]

With patience, you can do that with a hand saw. Not saying it will be fun, but when all else fails ....

If it comes to that, run a kerf on all the square edges with a table saw to help guide you straight.

[Mark J]

10 hours ago, Embarrassed Newbie said:

I'll have to look around for a place that can assist. 

Couple of suggestions which are not mutually exclussive.  Look around you (Google) for a:  maker's space; woodworking school; woodworking club.

Any and all of these are avenues likely to lead to the help you need.   

[Mark J]

Oh something else that crossed my mind earlier, but I forgot to mention.  You said your slab was 2 5/8" and you intended resawing to yield two 1 1/4" boards.  I think that might be optimistic.  

You've only left yourself 1/8" for saw kerf and surfacing and that is assuming that 2 5/8" is the minimum thickness of the slab.  You might get lucky, but just make sure your table design could tollerate a top that is 1 1/8" or 1 3/16" thick.  

And lastly, we'd all love to see some follow up on your project, with pictures of course.  

[Barron]

Colonial hardwoods in Springfield May be able to help you out.